| Lyme Disease Is - - - |
Yes! Up until recently the black-legged tick, formerly called the deer tick, was the only vector of Lyme disease. Research in the last 4 years has proven the Lone star tick and the American dog tick can also harbor the Borrelia bacteria. In fact the Lone star tick transmits "Master's Disease", nearly identical to Lyme disease symptoms. Scientists have not proven the dog tick can transmit the disease to humans, yet. Research is currently under way to find an answer. Reporting Ld cases is mandatory! Your doctor is required to report all cases that meet the CDC surveillance criteria: (1) Erythema migrans rash, or; (2) One late manifestation (musculoskeletal, nervous or cardiovascular system) and laboratory confirmation of infection. Cases are reported to the county health department, the Iowa Department of Public Health, and the CDC. Often, if a doctor suspects Ld following a tick bite, and knowing the antibody type tests take 30 days to give an effective reading, a doctor will administer antibiotics without diagnosing and reporting it. Plus, consider the fact that prior to 2004, Iowa, like many other states, had its own criteria for recording cases of Lyme and it was too restrictive, leaving out most diagnosed cases, and keeping the number of reported cases low. This led health care professionals to believe Lyme was not a serious health threat, often assuming it was an unlikely diagnosis in Iowa. Consequently Ld is still under-reported, under diagnosed and under treated in Iowa. Thus, it is not surprising that Iowa averages 20-30 reported cases annually. 2. How is early Lyme disease diagnosed? Earliest diagnosis of Lyme disease is from the characteristic erythema migrans (bulls-eye) rash which may begin a few days to a few weeks after a tick bite. This expanding pink rash may be clear in the center, taking on a bull's-eye appearance. Photograph it! Its unique appearance confirms a Lyme disease diagnosis. However it may appear as an irregular rash or multiple rashes. Antibiotic treatment must start immediately. The rash may be followed within a few days or weeks by flu- like symptoms; mild to severe headache, fever, general malaise, muscular aches and pains, swollen lymph nodes, fatigue and less commonly, nausea, vomiting, and conjunctivitis. However, it is estimated 20% to 40% of those infected do not get the erythema migrans rash, or the rash may be atypical, resembling sunburn or poison ivy. 3.How is Lyme disease diagnosed if the patientdoes not have a rash and typical early symptoms? According to the CDC clinical diagnosis is necessary since symptoms vary greatly, it's often relapsing, and current laboratory tests for Lyme disease itself are unreliable, producing false positives and negatives. This is a multisystemic disease often mimicking other diseases. 4.What is the treatment for Lyme disease? Lyme disease patients respond to certain antibiotics and treatment of early infection should be at least 8 weeks. Patients with late stage disease often require more extensive treatment than most medical literature indicates. An initial Jarish- Herxheimer reaction (a temporary worsening of symptoms) occurs and must be distinguished from antibiotic allergy. I mprovement from antibiotic therapy helps confirm the diagnosis. 5.Why is Lyme disease controversial? There's debate in the medical community about what Lyme disease is and how long treatment should last. The confusion exists because of the lack of a definitive diagnostic test and the lack of a clinical definition of Lyme disease. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) definition was intended only for surveillance purposes, yet it is often mistakenly used to diagnose or fail to diagnose the disease. Further, there is no treatment protocol for Lyme disease approved by the Federal Drug Administration. |
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| Prevention Tips |
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1. Beware of ticks. Ticks do not hop, or fly, they crawl toward a host when detecting body heat, or carbon dioxide. Ticks live in weedy areas. Tall grass, leaf litter, low shrubs, underbrush, and field and trail edges are favored. In highly infected areas, lawns may have ticks. 2. Wear long sleeves & long pants. Tuck the legs into your socks. Light-colored clothes make it easier to spot ticks. 3. Stay in the middle of trails. Don't brush against leaves and weeds or hike through the underbrush. 4. Use an insect repellent. Follow manufacturers directions. Look for ones containing 25-35% deet. 5. Check for ticks often. Crawling ones can be brushed off carefully. 6. Place clothes in a dryer. A 1/2 hr. dryer high heat cycle will destroy ticks which might be hiding in clothing, the scalp, and behind the ears. 7. Do a thorough tick check. Ticks crawl upward until they are stopped. Check legs, waistline, bra line, and armpits, and ask a family member to help check scalp, back, etc. 8. Use repellents and check your pets before they enter the house for crawling or attached ticks. 9. Hunters and trappers should hang animal carcasses away from buildings. Put a bucket of bleach water under the animal to catch any ticks falling off. Wear rubber gloves when field dressing or handling meat to minimize chances for infection. |
| ***Disclaimer: The information provided on this web site should not take the place of any quality medical care. It is provided for patient information only. ILDA-ED does not engage in rendering medical services. Copyright © 2007 - 2023 Iowa Lyme Disease Association (ILDA). All Rights Reserved. |
| Tick Removal |
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| Frequently Asked Questions |
| Iowa Lyme Disease Association - Education Education - Patient Support - Medical Updates |
| P.O. Box 221 Brighton, IA 52540 [email protected] |
| Welcome! We are friends and parents brought together because Lyme disease has inflicted us, our children, other family members, or friends. Our purpose is to educate with the facts about Lyme disease, its diagnosis and treatment and to provide support for patients and others wanting more information. Our information is supported by credible research and we will keep you updated on any new research that pertains to Lyme disease. Treatment options are listed and links provided so you can educate yourself and your physician about Lyme disease. Lyme knowledgeable doctors are few in Iowa We strongly support working and educating your treating physician. Links are provided to search for a Lyme literate doctor. Lastly we provide patient support and encourage interaction among patients and action by patients to support Lyme disease awareness. |